Viz Media‘s Shonen Jump digital manga app is the latest comics related app to see a price rise, shifting from $1.99 to $2.99 a month (a 50% hike) in January 2023.
The Shonen Jump app is the home of hit manga properties like Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Bleach and more. The service enables unlimited access to a variety of series chapters (albeit at a low resolution) and offline reading. Users can also try out early chapters and latest chapters of ongoing series for free before they choose to commit. Readers can access manga chapters via the app or website in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Philippines, Singapore, and India.
A sample message sent out to current iOS subscribers (this price rise also affects Android subscribers):
“Dear Shonen Jump Member,
“We want you to know that beginning in January 2023 the Shonen Jump monthly subscription price will increase from $1.99 to $2.99*. Apple will contact you directly regarding the exact date this change will affect your subscription.
“Since Shonen Jump launched in 2018, we’ve added over 50% more manga from One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and so many more of your favorites. We’ve also added hit series like Spy x Family, Hunter x Hunter, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, along with special releases like Death Note Short Stories and Akira Toriyama’s Manga Theater.
“Our updated price reflects our commitment to continue bringing you the best manga straight from Japan. We’re so excited to show you what we have coming in the new year.
“Thank you for being an important part of Shonen Jump.
“-The Shonen Jump team at VIZ Media
“*U.S. Dollars or the equivalent in your local currency.”
The ultra-cheap app has been sitting at the low-low cost of $1.99/month since Viz switched from the weekly issue model to the all-you-can-eat model in late 2018. It has now become quite commonplace with your Marvel Comics Unlimited and DC Universe Infinite – and not to mention your Amazon Prime and Global Comix services – but at the time it could have been considered quite the risk.
Marvel Comics Unlimited – which has been around since 2007 – currently charges $9.99 a month or $99 for a full year. DC Universe Infinite – introduced in 2021 – is $7.99 a month or $74.99 for a year but introduced a newer more expensive tier at $119.99/year. So in comparison a jump from $24 to $36 for Shonen Jump is still looking mighty cheap.
“That’s it! I’m cancelling!” /s
But really, it’s by far the best value out there. Not to mention it has COMPLETE runs of series – something that DCUI and MU struggle with.
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